AI Generated Summary
- As Amritsar continues to balance development with devotion, the narrow lane of Guru Ke Mahal stands as a poignant symbol — reminding visitors that history is not only preserved in grand monuments, but also in the quiet corners where time seems reluctant to move on.
- Five Sikh Gurus are known to have lived or stayed there, and it was also the venue for the weddings of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Hargobind — milestones that further elevate its status in Sikh heritage.
- This passage, running alongside Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal — the birthplace of Guru Tegh Bahadur — offers a rare glimpse into the era of the Sikh Gurus, even as much of its original character has been reshaped by modern construction.
In the maze of narrow lanes near the Golden Temple, a humble four-foot-wide street continues to echo the spiritual legacy of Sikh history. This passage, running alongside Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal — the birthplace of Guru Tegh Bahadur — offers a rare glimpse into the era of the Sikh Gurus, even as much of its original character has been reshaped by modern construction.
The lane, unchanged in width for centuries, has become a living reminder of a time when simplicity defined both life and architecture. Today, as the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur is being commemorated on a grand scale, devotees walking through this constricted pathway find themselves momentarily transported back in time.
According to Head Granthi Gursewak Singh, the original structure of Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal once stood on a small parcel of land in close proximity to the Golden Temple. In 1977, the old building was demolished to expand and modernise the shrine, a move that significantly altered the historic layout of the area. “This site was originally a modest home constructed by Guru Ram Das in 1573,” he explained. “Located west of the Akal Takht and across Guru Ka Bazar, it served as a residence for the Gurus and their families.”
The building holds profound historical significance. Five Sikh Gurus are known to have lived or stayed there, and it was also the venue for the weddings of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Hargobind — milestones that further elevate its status in Sikh heritage. Despite changes around it, the narrow street has retained its original dimensions, while most surrounding houses sit on tiny plots ranging from just 40 to 80 square feet.
One of the few tangible links to the Guru’s era is an ancient well that had long remained buried beneath layers of earth. Recent efforts to uncover it have seen teams excavate to a depth of nearly 50 feet, revealing what many consider a priceless relic of the past.
However, heritage experts express concern over the gradual loss of such sacred spaces. Dr Balvinder Singh, spatial conservation planner and former head of the Guru Ram Das School of Planning at Guru Nanak Dev University, described the neglect of historic preservation as deeply regrettable. “Our failure to safeguard places associated with the Gurus is unfortunate,” he said. “Conservation practices entered the country too late, and spiritual heritage was not accorded the priority it deserved.”
As Amritsar continues to balance development with devotion, the narrow lane of Guru Ke Mahal stands as a poignant symbol — reminding visitors that history is not only preserved in grand monuments, but also in the quiet corners where time seems reluctant to move on.
